Mdundo.com & Safaricom  Partner to Empower Kalenjin Music Artists at Moi University Cultural Week 2024

[Image source: Mdundo]

 Written by: Branice Nafula

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Moi University's Cultural Week 2024 witnessed a groundbreaking collaboration between Mdundo.com and Safaricom, aimed at empowering Kalenjin music lovers and providing them with the means to monetize their passion for music. The event, held at Moi University's main campus in Eldoret, showcased the rich cultural heritage of the students and the Kalenjin community artists while also offering an innovative platform for budding musicians to thrive.

Mdundo.com, a leading digital music distribution platform in Kenya, joined forces with Safaricom, known for its commitment to empowering communities through technology. Together, their goal was to introduce Kalenjin music enthusiasts to the world of Mdundo and educate them on how they can earn a living from their musical talents, through an in-house workshop held at the campus on 8th March 2024.

The Cultural Week served as the perfect backdrop for this collaboration, as it provided a vibrant and inclusive space for students and community members to celebrate their cultural identity. With a diverse lineup of events including traditional dances, music performances, and art exhibitions, the Cultural Week offered a comprehensive showcase of Kalenjin culture and other cultures from across Kenya.  

At the heart of Mdundo.com's involvement was its mission to democratize access to music and empower artists to reach a wider audience. Through its platform, Mdundo provides a space for artists to distribute their music digitally, reaching millions of listeners across the globe. Furthermore, during the cultural week, Mdundo held an artist workshop to educate artists on how they can monetize their music. The artists were enlightened on the new Mdundo  Distribution offering. This platform Mdundo enables artists to not only distribute on Mdundo but also on 200+ other digital streaming platforms thus reaching a wider audience.

Mdundo allows artists to monetize their music through various revenue-sharing models, allowing them to earn a sustainable income from their art.

During the Cultural Week, Mdundo and Safaricom set up interactive tents where attendees could learn about the platform and sign up as artists or users. Representatives from Mdundo provided demonstrations on how artists can upload their music to the platform, create profiles, and track their earnings. They also emphasised the importance of digital distribution and redistribution opportunities in reaching a global audience and generating revenue in the modern music industry.

"We were honoured to stand among the distinguished faculty and promising students of Moi University as we embarked on an exciting campus activation as proud sponsors. At Mdundo, our mission is to celebrate African creativity and empower our artists by enabling content monetization and diversification across various genres, languages and niches. Moi University symbolized not just a center for learning, but a beacon of innovation with aspirations for global recognition. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners Safaricom and Moi University for inviting us to join in the Cultural Week festival 2024” said  Willam Abagi, Senior Marketing Manager at Mdundo

In addition to educating attendees about the benefits of joining Mdundo, the collaboration also featured live performances by Kalenjin artists like Faith Therui, Kipsang and arbantone star Goddy Tennor who are loved by fans. These aside from students’ cultural performances not only showcased the talent within the community but also served as a testament to the opportunities available through digital platforms like Mdundo.

The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity to showcase their music on Mdundo and potentially earn money from their passion. Students and community members alike were eager to learn more about the platform and how they could leverage it to further their musical careers.

By participating in Moi University's Cultural Week 2024, Mdundo.com and Safaricom demonstrated their commitment to empowering local artists and promoting cultural diversity through technology. Through their collaboration, they not only provided a platform for Kalenjin musicians to thrive but also paved the way for a more inclusive and sustainable music industry in Kenya. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, partnerships like this highlight technology's transformative power in empowering communities and amplifying diverse voices.